Abuja — Senator Nuhu Aliyu (PDP Niger) recently stirred the hornet's nest when he told Nigerians that the National Assembly is populated with dubious characters.

When his colleagues dared him to mention names, he kept sealed lips. To assuage the anger of his colleagues who were angling for his probe over the allegation, he quickly apologised and preferred to let sleeping dogs lie. In this interview, Aliyu speaks on why he apologised to his colleagues over the 419ners allegations, among other issues. Excerpts

You have been accused by some Nigerians of always saying what you cannot substantiate. Why do you behave that way?

It is not true that I speak what I can't substantiate. It is just the circumstances and the kind of society that we are in. It is pretty difficult to draw a conclusion on issues that border on laws without the court making such pronouncement. As soon as I realized the import of my statement since I did not put 'alleged' or 'suspected', I decided to beat a retreat and apologized to my colleagues. But one thing that has come out vividly is the level of awareness that it has created. Rather than crucify me for being patriotic with my stand, I should be commended for being courageous with my position so far. People should give me credit that as a retired DIG of the Nigeria Police, especially one that worked at Alagbon, all manners of persons have passed through me. I did not make my statement to offend the sensibilities of my fellow colleagues; I was just looking at the Nigerian State to see how much impact we can make to add value to the anti-corruption crusade, but quite unfortunate that some Nigerians misconstrued my thoughts and ended up calling me all kinds of unprintable names. I have learnt a few things from that experience and other experiences to the point that I would have regretted if I did not join active politics and retired just as Police officer. Politics is quite an interesting game, a different experience altogether. It has given me an opportunity to serve my people under a different platform. And the fact that they have been giving me their mandate in the last nine years is an indication that they enjoy my leadership and representation, cherish my personality, and found my integrity suitable. I cannot compromise on these attributes irrespective of what people say. Nuhu Aliyu is still the same Nuhu Aliyu. At this age, I cannot begin to act funny. Not at all.

Some people still insist that you mention names. Would you be ready to mention names if the pressure persists?

I have gone past that thinking. I have already taken my stand to allow the sleeping dog lie. I do not intend to heat up the system again. Anybody who feels so concerned and wishes to prove otherwise can simply come out and present a clean bill of health. As a Senator, I enjoy certain privileges and covered by some kind of legislative immunity if you like. There is limitation to pressure. I have chosen to be a peacemaker for now. I want to settle down to the real business of legislation. The budget has just been passed. There a lot of expectations from people in my constituency and the Nigerian nation at large. We have to meet those expectations so that the people do not take us for granted. Rather than continue to dwell on this issue which to me has been overtaken by events, I will rather focus my attention on other pressing issues that will help add value to national development. There is no pressure per se except that the media are trying to make it look so. But I can assure you that I have put that behind me.

President Yar'Adua recently inaugurated the Police Reform Committee. As a retired police officer what, in your view, can be done to improve the security situation in the country?

Security is the business of everyone. It is not a government business alone. The security situation in the country is not as bad as people are saying because the recent statistics indicate an improvement. My attitude is that no matter the circumstances, there is so much to gain from dialoguing and brainstorming. Without pre-empting the Panel because they are made up of very distinguished Nigerians, I want to believe that they will come up with far-reaching recommendations that would help the plight of the Police. Whatever good that is done in that direction will be in the interest of all Nigerians because an improved Police Force is an incentive for investment and overall development. The present leadership of the Police is trying its best and with the kind of assurances from Mr. President, the sky will be the limit if a little more pluck and attention is directed towards the Police. We also need to re-invest in the Police, assist them to get the right equipment for ease of operations. Nigerian Police work under most difficult circumstances yet they perform beyond the expectation of the people in some cases. Those who go outside the country to do peace-keeping come back home with tales of achievements. Other countries outside the country appreciate us better than the way Nigerians take us. Information management is an important aspect of Policing. Community policing is also an aspect of it. We have to move in the direction of globalization, having the sophistication to cope with the challenges that come from time to time, and having the right environment that is conducive for Police operations. Thank God security is one of the seven point agenda of the present government. Nigerians would have to give their maximum support and cooperation to make that a reality. It will benefit the nation in general.

There have been several election cancellations in the past few months by the various tribunals sitting in the country. Does that not tell you something about the 2007 poll and its credibility?

What you see happening in the polity is part of the beauty of democracy. Tribunals and electoral litigations are essential in creating the right atmosphere for all participants in the democratic process. Our democracy is evolving and it is expected that we undergo some of these processes to strengthen it and make it more responsive to the yearnings of the citizenry. Under a democracy, the three arms of government have to be awake to their responsibility and that is why the Judiciary is being perceived as waking up to the challenge. The mere fact that we were able to contain the fallout from the election without letting blood is a mark of maturity on the part of Nigerians. Other countries around Africa are envious of our achievement in this respect. We all deserve commendation over our non-violent approach to handling election issues. With the kind of experience we are seeing from Kenya and other sister African countries, Nigerians need to be appreciated. I am very pleased with our resolve to sustain our nationality as one Nigeria. The fact that aggrieved persons are exploiting the tribunals also tells something about our level of development. The tribunals should be left to do their job since people appear to be satisfied with their conducts. Rather than resort to violence in a manner that would threaten national peace and stability, tribunals should be cultivated where perceived injustice has been committed. With time, our elections would mature and assume that level of credibility and transparency that we all expected.

There has been some level of stability in the National Assembly, particularly the Senate. What is responsible for this stability in view of the proverbial banana peels said to be littered on the floor of the upper chamber of the National Assembly?

The secret is the leadership both at the Senate level and the Executive level. Even the Judiciary has been repositioned seriously and Nigerians are beginning to reap from that. The Senate cannot be left out in the clamour for sound and representative leadership and the Senate President is one that has been carrying everyone along. You could see the much matured way that he has been handling topical national issues. The healthy debate on the budget, his response to issues that border on the polity and even the way he handled the pressures on my statement. As an arm of government, we are also conscious of what goes on in other departments of government. The body language of Mr. President and the call for rule of law are some of the attractions. Senators are agreed on the need to make laws for the good governance of the country. Rather than bickering, we are more interested in fashioning out laws that would impact positively on the well-being of Nigerians. The fact that the Senate President was duly elected by the Senate also means that harmony would be sustained. To be frank, the Senate President has been a wonderful leader and has been instrumental to the kind of stability in the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly.

Some people have accused you of playing to the gallery and seeking means through which you can lead the Senate in the event that the election of Senate President David Mark is voided by the tribunal. What is your reaction?

People are free to make all manners of guess work and permutations, but the truth of the matter is that we have a senate president who was duly elected to represent his constituency. The Senate Presidency is not a vacant seat as at date, hence it is out of place for people to be making all kinds of insinuations. How can I be seeking cheap popularity when I raise critical issues about our democratic process? How can people be insinuating what does not exist. Whatever you see I have done is borne out of patriotism and service to the nation. We are ready to give all the necessary support to the Senate President for him to succeed in discharging his responsibilities and meeting the aspirations of Nigerians. Our focus is not about dwelling on leadership but making sure that Nigerians appreciate our contributions both as individuals and the collective towards fulfilling the objectives of nation building. How do we respond to cries of marginalization, cries of neglect, cries of under-development and all that. Just a few days ago, the President inaugurated a committee to ensure that power generation is improved in the next one year. We owe it a duty to support such committee from our end for them to succeed because the gains of improved power generation would be for all. The Senate is more interested in seeing that there is peace and stability in Nigeria to enhance enterprise and productivity. The security situation, our territorial integrity, job creation, improved economy and general welfare for our people. This talk about interest in the Senate Presidency is a distraction. The Senate President has my support and he knows it. I don't genuflect. Those who know my background can attest to that.